How does Sherrif explore and develop different attitudes to war?

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Introduction

How does Sherrif explore and develop different attitudes to war? Introduction (in order) Sherrif's journey's End is a play primarily set in the trenches of WW1. It focuses on the lives of a group of individuals, and explores the different attitudes and reactions, of the soldiers, to the harsh reality of war. Many of the soldiers are afraid, and worried. Some are resorting to other methods of curing there phobias, take Stanhope for instance he has been on the force for three years running and hasn't had a single break. He has turned to the drink though, when he is afraid he will turn to the drink rather than expressing any emotion. Main Body (in order) In Act 2, Scene 2, for example, the audience is subjected to a rather heated conversation between two soldiers, Stanhope and Hibbert, during which, negative attitudes to war are expressed. For example, at the start of this scene, Hibbert stands up to Stanhope, his senior officer, and admits that he would rather be shot for desertion than face going over the top into No-man's land. Stanhope moves to the side of him, then to cut a long story short, Stanhope goes though his feelings and how Hibbert would not be able to ...read more.

Middle

Again trying to get an image of war into the reader's mind of how the soldiers are resorting to having another glass of whisky, as the depression leads on. Act 2, Scene 2 demonstrates the full extent to which Hibbert has fallen as he seems incapable of finishing off a sentence. This is in contrast to our initial impression of his character, portrayed in Act 1. In the first conversation he has with Stanhope he is very on the ball, he try's and try's to get out of the trench using many excuses, he complains that he is ill and can handle any supper, then goes straight to bed. At this point in time Stanhope doesn't know this man at all and describes him as "Another little worm trying to wriggle home". Osborne has fallen for it and replies saying that he does look quite ill, but Stanhope's not having any of it. Stanhope is going to have a word with the doctor to stop him going home. Then in Act 2, Scene 2, Hibbert tries again still with the same gag but this time he is determined to go and see the doctor, Stanhope will not let him go because he knows he will be sent right back. ...read more.

Conclusion

The character of Raleigh - has a romantic and idealised notion of war. He is very enthusiastic in comparison to Stanhope and Hibbert. This is shown though the use of stage directions. In Act 1, Scene 1, Raleigh is very quite surprised about how quiet the trenches are. He is about 50 yards away from the front line and cannot believe there is a war going on with it being so quiet. Raleigh is also fascinated about trenches and how they run on over miles of land. Raleigh has kept up the good mood for Act 2 as well he starts having a conversation with Osborne about Rugger. Conclusion (in order) I personally believe the play is quiet fun to read, there are some parts were I loose interest and would like to move on to a more exciting part, I think that Sherrif did a very good job of expressing the emotions of the character and I feel for them and can only imagine what the soldiers today are going though. I can pick up on the attitudes of all the different characters very quickly and when they change due to the poor conditions it is quiet quick to notice. Overall I enjoy reading this play and think that Serrif has done a great job. 08/05/2007 1 By Christopher Phillips 10A2 ...read more.

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